Twelve private jeep safaris across four national parks.
Overview & Highlights
This Big Cats of India Wildlife Tour: Tigers, Lions and Leopards is a 14 day private wildlife tour built for travelers who want to see Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, and leopards in their natural home. This tour starts and ends in New Delhi, taking you to Gir National Park, Pench National Park, Kanha National Park, and Bandhavgarh National Park for a total of 12 private jeep safaris, plus a cycling and village safari in Kanha.
Gir National Park is the only place in the world where wild Asiatic lions still roam free. Pench National Park is the real forest that inspired The Jungle Book, while Kanha and Bandhavgarh are two of the best places in India to see the Bengal tiger, with Bandhavgarh known for having one of the highest tiger densities in the country. In Kanha, you also get a cycling and village safari through the buffer zone, where you can meet the Gond and Baiga tribal communities and learn how they have lived alongside tigers, leopards, and other wild animals for generations. Before the safaris begin, you will also explore Delhi, visiting Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, and the busy lanes of Old Delhi by rickshaw.
To make this tour comfortable, all internal flights are included, along with your stay at 4 star hotels and resorts, meals, all ground transfers and logistics, and 12 private jeep safaris with permits, park entrance fees, and wildlife naturalists, so you can enjoy your safaris while we take care of everything else.
This tour is fully customizable. If you want to add more safaris, extend your stay at any park, or upgrade your hotels, please feel free to contact us. This is the ideal tour for wildlife lovers who want to see the big cats of India, lions, tigers, and leopards, all in one trip.
Watch wild Asiatic lions roam free at Gir National Park.
See tigers, leopards, and much more in the top habitats of Central India.
Cycle and explore tribal villages in Kanha buffer zone.
Itinerary
On arrival at the New Delhi airport, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city's bustling streets or wander its wide tree-lined boulevards to get your first taste of India. Overnight stay in New Delhi.
After breakfast, proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi. Begin with Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Continue to Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques built by Emperor Shah Jahan, followed by a rickshaw ride through the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk. Later, drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate. Continue to Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an outstanding example of Mughal architecture, followed by Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret and one of Delhi’s most iconic landmarks. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, or earlier depending on your flight schedule, our driver will transfer you to New Delhi Airport for your flight to Rajkot. Upon arrival in Rajkot, you will be greeted by our local driver and transferred to Gir National Park. Check in to your resort and spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Gir National Park.
Early in the morning, head out on a private jeep safari inside Gir National Park, the only home in the world to the endangered Asiatic Lions. Gir also shelters a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including leopards, Indian hyenas, civet cats, jackals, sambar deer, nilgai, chital, wild boar, and the unique four horned antelope. The dry deciduous forests of the park come alive with every turn of the trail, offering raw, unscripted encounters with nature at its finest. Later, drive back to the resort for breakfast and leisure time. After lunch, head out on an afternoon jeep safari to maximize your chances of spotting the magnificent Asiatic Lions roaming freely in their natural habitat. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort in Gir National Park.
Begin your day with an early morning private jeep safari in Gir National Park, venturing deep into the forest as the wildlife becomes most active. This additional safari enhances your chances of witnessing the endangered Asiatic lions in their natural habitat, along with leopards, jackals, deer species, and a rich array of birdlife. After the safari, return to the resort for breakfast and time to relax. In the afternoon, set out once again for a private jeep safari, exploring a different zone of the park to maximize wildlife sightings and photographic opportunities. After completing your safari, return to the resort for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, our driver will transfer you to Rajkot Airport for your connecting flight to Nagpur. Upon arrival at Nagpur Airport, our local driver will receive you and transfer you to the hotel in Nagpur for overnight stay.
After breakfast, depart for Pench National Park, the real inspiration behind The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Spanning approximately 758 sq. km, Pench is known for its rich wildlife and its mention in the historical text Ain-i-Akbari. It won the Best Management Award in 2011. Upon arrival, check in at the resort.
Later in the afternoon, set out for your first jeep safari at Pench National Park. You will pass through teak forests, grasslands, and areas near the river. An experienced naturalist will guide you, following fresh tracks and animal alarm calls as you search for tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and sloth bears, along with herds of deer crossing the open clearings. The park has many kinds of land, so every safari drive feels different. Some give you close sightings, others give you quiet, peaceful moments in the wild. Dinner and overnight stay in Pench National Park.
Wake up early for your final jeep safari in Pench National Park. The forest is calm and cool at this hour, and many animals are still active before the heat sets in. Keep watch for tigers, leopards, and herds of deer moving through the grasslands. Your naturalist will track fresh signs and alarm calls to guide you toward the best sightings. After the safari, return to the resort for a hearty breakfast.
Later depart for Kanha National Park, one of the most well-maintained national parks in Asia. This park was an inspiration behind the popular novel by Rudyard Kipling - The Jungle Book. Spread in 940 sq. km of land, this national park has Indian wild dogs, Royal Bengal Tiger, sloth bears, leopards, and barasingha in good numbers. Upon arrival, check in at your resort and spend the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Kanha National Park.
Early in the morning, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the safari entrance gate for your first jeep safari inside Kanha National Park, famous for its Bengal Tiger sightings. Kanha is also home to the rare hard-ground barasingha (swamp deer), leopards, Indian gaurs, wild dogs locally known as dhole, mouse deer, wild boars, blue bulls, spotted deer, and four-horned antelopes. Bird enthusiasts can spot rare species like the Crested Serpent Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Red-headed Vulture, and Green Munia. Later, return to the resort for breakfast. In the afternoon, after lunch, set out on an afternoon jeep safari to further increase your chances of spotting the Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. During your afternoon safari, visit Bamni Dadar, also known as Sunset Point, a major attraction inside the park. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort in Kanha National Park.
Early in the morning, set out on a guided cycling and village safari through the buffer zone of Kanha National Park, passing through the traditional Gond and Baiga tribal villages. This unique experience offers an opportunity to explore the park at a relaxed pace while learning about the local way of life. With prior permission, you may interact with villagers, visit their traditional homes, and gain insight into their culture and how they have lived alongside tigers, leopards, and other wildlife for generations. A mountain bike will be provided for this approximately 6 km ride, which takes around 3 to 4 hours, including village visits. If you are not comfortable cycling, you can enjoy the same experience in an open jeep.
After the village safari, return to the resort for breakfast and some time to relax. Later, depart for Bandhavgarh National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your resort. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the resort in Bandhavgarh National Park.
Early in the morning around 05:00 AM, our driver will pick you up from your resort and take you to your permitted safari gate in Bandhavgarh for your first jeep safari. Bandhavgarh is known for having one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers in India, offering excellent chances of spotting one, and if you are lucky, you may even see a tiger in the nearby village or on the way to the safari gate. Bandhavgarh National Park is also home to around 150 species of birds, and you can spot colourful varieties such as the Bay-backed Shrike, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Moorhen, and more. Later, get back to the resort for breakfast. In the afternoon, set out on another jeep safari to further increase your chances of spotting a Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort in Bandhavgarh National Park.
Start early with a private jeep safari in Bandhavgarh National Park, known for its high chances of tiger sightings. Explore the forest and look out for wildlife such as leopards, bears, elephants, gaur, deer, and birdlife. Return to the resort for breakfast and some rest. In the afternoon, head out for another jeep safari for more wildlife sightings. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.
As per your flight timing, our driver will transfer you to Jabalpur airport for your flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival in New Delhi, our local representative will receive you and transfer you to your hotel in Delhi for an overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel or earlier as per your flight timing, our driver will transfer you to IGI Airport New Delhi for your flight to home or onward destination.
What is Included in This Tour
- Domestic flight from New Delhi to Rajkot (Economy Class).
- Domestic flight from Rajkot to Nagpur (Economy Class).
- Domestic flight from Jabalpur to New Delhi (Economy Class).
- Stay for 13 nights in 4 Star hotels and resorts.
- Breakfast is included at the hotels in Delhi and Nagpur.
- All major meals are included at the resort in Gir National Park (B, L, D - Buffet or Fixed Menu).
- All major meals are included at the resort in Pench National Park (B, L, D - Buffet or Fixed Menu).
- All major meals are included at the resort in Kanha National Park (B, L, D - Buffet or Fixed Menu).
- All major meals are included at the resort in Bandhavgarh National Park (B, L, D - Buffet or Fixed Menu).
- English speaking local destination guide in Delhi during sightseeing.
- Local wildlife naturalists are included for all safaris in Gir, Pench, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh.
- Four private jeep safaris in the Core Zones at Gir National Park.
- Two private jeep safaris in the Core Zones at Pench National Park.
- Two private jeep safaris in the Core Zones at Kanha National Park.
- One guided bicycle tour and village safari in Kanha National Park.
- Four private jeep safaris in the Core Zones at Bandhavgarh National Park.
- All airport transfers, sightseeing, inter-park travel, and hotel to park gate transfers are provided by private air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary.
- Solo travelers will travel by sedan, such as a Toyota Etios, Suzuki Dzire, or similar.
- 2 to 3 persons travel by MUV such as Toyota Innova Crysta or similar.
- For 4 or more travelers, a Tempo Traveller or a larger vehicle will be used.
- Personal assistance during arrival and departure.
- Cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi is included.
- 1 mineral water bottle per person per day.
- All applicable taxes.
- It is advisable that you buy a comprehensive medical/travel insurance in advance from your country before traveling to India.
- Please Note: Tour guides for specific languages, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, and Dutch, are also available on request basis at an additional cost.
- Any VISA fee (if applicable).
- Any monument entrance fee, camera fee.
- Any kind of tips, personal expenses, laundry, or telephone charges.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Accommodation
Frequently Asked Questions
At Alkof Holidays, we ensure smooth travel planning. Our FAQ covers everything from booking procedures and payment methods to travel itineraries, best times to visit, hotel upgrades, and more. For more assistance, contact us anytime.
This itinerary has been carefully designed to maximize your chances of spotting India's three iconic big cats. It includes four private jeep safaris in Gir National Park for Asiatic lions, two safaris in Pench National Park, two safaris in Kanha National Park, and four safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India's best parks for Bengal tiger sightings. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, multiple safaris across four national parks significantly increase your chances of memorable encounters.
Yes. All jeep safaris included in this tour are conducted in a private safari vehicle exclusively for you and your travel companions. Every safari is accompanied by an experienced local wildlife naturalist and includes the required permits, park entry fees, and designated safari vehicle.
The cycling and village safari is a leisurely experience through the buffer zone of Kanha National Park, covering approximately 6 km. A reasonable level of physical fitness is recommended, as the experience includes cycling and walking through traditional Gond and Baiga tribal villages. If you are not comfortable cycling or walking, you can opt for the same experience in an open jeep. Please let us know at the time of booking if you wish to choose the open jeep option, as it is subject to availability and must be reserved in advance.
The tour includes carefully selected 4 Star hotels and wildlife resorts that offer comfort, excellent hospitality, and convenient access to the national parks. If you prefer a more luxurious experience, we can upgrade your stay to premium wildlife lodges or luxury safari resorts, subject to availability.
Absolutely. As a private tour, the itinerary can be customized to match your interests and travel style. You can add more safari drives, extend your stay at any national park, upgrade your hotels, include additional destinations, or adjust the pace of the tour before confirming your booking.
The best time to experience this tour is from October to May, when all four national parks are open for safaris. March to May generally offers the highest chances of wildlife sightings as animals gather around water sources, while October to February provides more pleasant weather with lush landscapes and excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
We recommend booking this India wildlife tour at least 4 to 8 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel between October and April, which is the peak wildlife season. Safari permits, preferred safari zones, domestic flights, and popular wildlife resorts have limited availability and are often booked months ahead. Booking early gives you the best chance of securing your preferred travel dates, accommodations, and safari permits.
Yes, Alkof Holidays accepts major international credit and debit cards. A secure online payment link will be provided to complete your payment. Any applicable payment gateway or bank charges will be communicated in advance.
Your dedicated tour manager is reachable by phone and WhatsApp throughout your trip. Your private driver will accompany you throughout the tour, while local guides will assist during scheduled sightseeing visits.
Yes. All airport transfers are included at every destination on this tour. A driver will meet you at the arrival gate and transfer you directly to your hotel. Departure pickups follow the same arrangement.
Know Before Your Go
Important Information
- If rooms are not available at the mentioned hotels, we will provide alternate hotels of a similar category. Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability.
- Safari access to specific zones is subject to availability. To secure your preferred safari bookings in your desired zones, we recommend booking your tours at least 90 days in advance. To book your safari, we require a clear photo of the traveler's passport, as mandated by the forest department.
- Once safaris are confirmed, the safari fees are non-refundable. Please carry your original valid passport or ID proof to present at the entry gate for safaris.
- Afternoon safaris in the core zones of Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench national parks are closed every Wednesday. Morning safaris on Wednesdays operate as normal. Please keep this in mind when selecting your travel dates.
- Mobile phones are not allowed inside the National Parks during safaris.
- Transportation is provided according to the itinerary only and is not available on a disposal or point-to-point basis.
- Tipping in India is not compulsory, it is optional but appreciated. A small gratuity is expected in some cases; tip generously for exceptional service. The amount can range from $2, $5, $10 per day, or more, depending on satisfaction and the quality of service received.
- Any costs arising from natural calamities such as road blockages, political disturbances (e.g., strikes), etc., are to be borne by the client. We will not be held liable for any refunds or compensation claims resulting from these circumstances.
- India VISA: Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not need a visa to enter India. However, all other foreign nationals must obtain a visa to enter India. For more information, please check https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
Payment Terms
A deposit of 10% is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 120 days prior tour starting date. For any bookings within 120 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking. This can be paid through bank transfer, credit/debit card, or cash.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 120 days before the scheduled departure date, a 10% cancellation fee will apply to the total cost of the tour. Kindly read complete details at Cancellation Policy.
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Why book this Tigers, Lions, and Leopards Wildlife Tour with Alkof Holidays?
We have thoughtfully planned this journey with handpicked wildlife resorts, twelve private jeep safaris across four national parks, comfortable transfers between each destination, and experienced naturalists who know these forests well.